BACKGROUND

Plant & Food Research is a prominent member of the global consortium sequencing the potato genome. With a draft version of the potato genome sequence available, Plant & Food Research is about to embark on the genomic resequencing of several interesting potato varieties.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of Plant & Food Research’s bioinformatics team you will work with senior researchers on a number of important potato traits, employing potato genome resequencing data to better understand a number of important traits in the world’s third largest food crop.

The PhD programme will initially involve the analysis of the potato genome using existing methodology. This is complicated by the fact that potato is a highly heterozygous tetraploid. In the second stage of the programme the focus will shift to developing new, or extending existing methodology, to delve deeper into variation in the non-coding area of the genome, particularly the (post-) transcriptional regulation of transcription.

The candidate will work on methodology for analysing and presenting large, genome-wide data sets in the outlined areas. Close cooperation with potato researchers at Plant & Food Research will ensure biological relevance of the research.